1. very rude or insulting and likely to upset people Antonym : inoffensive: I found her remarks deeply offensive.offensive to crude jokes that are offensive to women offensive behaviour

2. formal very unpleasant: an offensive smell

3. [only before noun] for attacking ⇒ defensive1(1): Jan was convicted of possessing an offensive weapon. The troops took up offensive positions.

4. American English relating to getting points and winning a game, rather than stopping the other team from getting points Antonym : defensive: the Jets’ offensive strategy—offensively adverb: Rick’s remarks were offensively racist.—offensiveness noun [uncountable]

1. a planned military attack involving large forces over a long period: a military offensive A major offensive was launched on August 22.

2. go on the offensive (also take the offensive) to start attacking or criticizing someone before they start attacking or criticizing you: Republicans went on the offensive over soaring gasoline prices.The international coalition was ready to take the offensive.

3. charm/diplomatic offensive a planned set of actions intended to influence a lot of people